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Manager Kelly Nicholson had his first former Cardinal arrive in the big leagues this April.

Five Former Cardinals Make Their MLB Debuts in April

May 2, 2008

The Orleans Cardinals had 18 former players play in the big leagues during the opening month of the Major League Baseball season including five making their Major League debuts. 

Headlining the list is San Francisco Giants infielder Emmanuel Burriss (2005) who becomes the first Cardinal to play under Field Manager Kelly Nicholson to make it to ‘The Show’.  Burriss spent the summer of 2005 with Orleans and helped lead them to a league championship under Nicholson’s first season at the helm of the Cardinals.  During the 2005 campaign Burriss led the CCBL in hits (52) and was third in runs scored (28).  His 37 stolen bases that season were more than twice the amount recorded by any other player in the league.  Burriss has played in nine games for the Giants, starting five of them at shortstop.  He is batting .200 and has already stolen three bases at the big league level.

Also making their MLB debuts are two Cardinals from the 2003 league championship team.  Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Boggs (2002-03) made his major league debut on April 29^th and wasted no time contributing to the Rangers as he picked up two hits including a home run in just his second career game in an 11-9 win over Kansas City on April 30^th.  Boggs has recorded a hit in all three games of his major league career.  Boggs hit .216 in 35 games for the Cardinals in 2003.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Purcey (2003), a key contributor to the 2003 championship squad, also made his major league debut last month.  In a start against Detroit on April 18^th, Purcey tossed 4.1 innings and allowed just two hits and one run but did not receive a decision.  As a member of the Cardinals in 2003, Purcey posted a 1.88 ERA in nine starts en route to a 4-1 record.  He was the starting pitcher in the first game of the Cardinals’ championship series against Bourne.  Orleans defeated the Braves 2-1 in 10 innings.

Other former Cardinals making their MLB debuts are Steve Holm (1999-00) and Brian Barton (2004).  Holm made his debut on April 4^th for San Francisco and is currently on the Giants roster as their No. 2 catcher.  Barton made his debut on April 1^st for the St. Louis Cardinals and is hitting .333 in 23 games as a reserve outfielder for the big league Cards.

Milwaukee Brewers ace Ben Sheets (1998-99) has had an excellent start to his 2008 campaign after posting a 4-0 record and a 1.64 ERA in five starts in April.  Minnesota Twins pitcher Scott Baker (2002) is also having a successful 2008 and is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA early on.  Former Cardinal Jeff Keppinger (2000-01) has not only earned the starting shortstop position for the Cincinnati Reds but has also proven to be one of the toughest players in the league to strikeout.  Keppinger has struck out just four times in 113 at bats this season and is batting .301.  Atlanta Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira (1999) leads all former Cardinals in the MLB in power categories.  Teixeira has already smacked four home runs and driven in 17 runs.

The Orleans Cardinals will debut their 2008 squad and make another run for their 12^th league championship on June 14^th when they take on the defending CCBL champions, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.  The game will be played at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth.  First pitch is scheduled for 5:00pm EDT.

Former Cardinals Who Have Appeared in the MLB in 2008:

Scott Baker (2002), Minnesota Twins

Brian Barton (2004), St. Louis Cardinals

Brandon Boggs (2002-03), Texas Rangers

Aaron Boone (1993), Washington Nationals

Bill Bray (2003), Cincinnati Reds

Emmanuel Burriss (2005), San Francisco Giants

Nomar Garciaparra (1993), Los Angeles Dodgers

Todd Helton (1994), Colorado Rockies

Steve Holm (1999-00), San Francisco Giants

Jeff Keppinger (2000-01), Cincinnati Reds

Jason Michaels (1996), Cleveland Indians

Chad Moeller (1995), New York Yankees

Jay Payton (1992-93), Baltimore Orioles

Scott Proctor (1996-97), Los Angeles Dodgers

David Purcey (2003), Toronto Blue Jays

Ben Sheets (1998-99), Milwaukee Brewers

Mark Teixeira (1999), Atlanta Braves

Frank Thomas (1988), Oakland Athletics